The locker room doors open to a new writer
Changing room
Our LockerRoom section dedicated to women in sport welcomes its second full-time reporter thanks to a Sky Sport scholarship
As New Zealand enters the most important era in its history for women in sport, LockerRoom welcomes new full-time writer Merryn Anderson.
Anderson’s appointment was made possible through a partnership with Sky Sport, one of the main supporters of our section in Newsroom dedicated to improving the profile and coverage of Kiwi women in sport.
She will work alongside and be mentored by LockerRoom editor Suzanne McFadden during the two years of her fellowship. She follows Ashley Stanley, the first recipient of the Sky Sport-LockerRoom Fellowship, who was named New Zealand Student Journalist of the Year in 2020.
Anderson grew up in a sports-loving family in Hamilton, where there was always sports in the background, and played netball until school.
In 2019, she graduated with a BA in Communication from the University of Waikato. Although she majored in public relations and event management, she soon realized that she loved to write, especially on sports.
Since then she has been a freelance writer, contributing to sports reporting on the New Zealand Herald during the ANZ Premiership netball season and the Tokyo Olympics. She also worked part-time as a screenwriter for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic netball franchise.
Although netball remains her passion, Anderson says she is “ready to spread my wings” and write about all sports and the women who participate in it. Particularly over the next two years, when New Zealand hosts the ‘big four’ events in international sport – three World Cups and the IWG Women in Sport conference.
“Sport is an integral part of New Zealand’s identity and it’s important for us to have athletes to admire,†she says. “What I love about sport is the fact that you never know what’s going to happen next.”
McFadden was delighted to see a solid field apply for the role of writer. “It reaffirms my belief that there are a lot of women who want to write about sports, if they have the chance,” she said. “Merryn’s strength in storytelling and her connection to people shone.”
Sky CEO Sophie Moloney is delighted to welcome Anderson as the latest scholarship recipient.
“Our partnership with LockerRoom is one of the ways we strive to support and promote women in sport. Getting the awesome LockerRoom team to tell the stories of the wÄhine we see on the sidelines and on our screens – be they athletes, coaches, mentors, fans or commentators – is essential. to our common goal of providing more fairness and balance, â€she said.
“We applaud Suzanne’s dedication to mentoring women journalists and expanding the work of LockerRoom, and we are delighted to play a role in supporting the Sky Sport scholarship program.
“Haere Mai Merryn – we can’t wait to see your contribution.”